Pursuing Happiness in Death of a Salesman - 785 Words

Critical Response: Death of a Salesman The lives of the Loman’s from beginning to end seems troubling, the play is centered on trying to be successful or trying to be happy, and the sacrifice which must be made of one to achieve the other. The environment that these characters live in encourages them to pursue the American dream, which can be said to devalue happiness through the pursuit of material success. Death of A Salesman written by Arthur Miller has several themes that run through the play, one of the most obvious is the constant striving for success. Willy Loman put his family through endless torture because of his search for a successful life. Willy, Biff, and Happy are chasing the American dream instead of examining themselves†¦show more content†¦Biff and Happy idolized their father when they were young. The stories they were told made them picture their father as a popular, successful, well-known salesman. As Biff grew up, he found himself being told things about his father like A salesman has to dream, it comes with the territory. At the end of the story when Linda says they we free, Biff is free to realizeShow MoreRelatedLife of Pi1276 Words   |  6 Pagesclose reference to Death of a Salesman and American Beauty. Ideas and qualities of acceptable standards that is considered worthwhile in society, pressures the relationship between an individual and his or her society due to the risk of social rejection. By accepting these social norms the individual is forced into the pursuit of the American Dream of that context whilst the rejection of the American Dream also leads to social rejection. Arthur Miller’s play Death of a Salesman looks at the notionRead MoreThe Death of Reality and the Reality of Death1341 Words   |  6 Pagesï » ¿The Death of Reality and the Reality of Death Death is never easy. Afterall it is the only sure thing anyone will ever do. Yet how one dies is determined by how they live. One who lives their life to the fullest will be content and open to death, while one whose life has been empty will fear it; but what if the difference between full and empty was not so easily differentiated? What if reality and falsehood were the same? This idea is contemplated in both Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller andRead MoreOf Salesmen and False Beliefs915 Words   |  4 Pagesunreal goals that our consumer driven society showcases as the ultimate show of success. In the play The Death of a Salesman, Arthur Miller illustrates a society where ethics are based solely around becoming wealthy and obtaining the American dream, through the use of looks and popularity. The main character Willy Loman spends his entire life in fallacy starving for this success. The Death of a Salesman portrays a specific view of the values, dreams, and goals in a consumer d riven society. Much like theRead MoreThe American Dream in Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller, and The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald1096 Words   |  5 PagesThe American Dream in Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller, and The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald In a majority of literature written in the 20th century, the theme of the American Dream has been a prevalent theme. This dream affects the plot and characters of many novels, and in some books, the intent of the author is to illustrate the reality of the American Dream. However, there is no one definition of the American Dream. Is it the right to pursue your hearts wish,Read MoreEssay about Living or Dying with the American Dream1274 Words   |  6 PagesEveryone wants to be successful. We all dream of having a decent job, a house, a car or two, good social connections and the respect of our peers. We dream of opportunity and freedom. In Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller, many characters are pursuing their own version of this dream, but they go about it in many different ways. Some see work and perseverance as necessities. Others think personal charm and popularity are essential in obtaining their dreams. We see the American Dream through theRead MoreThe Literary Works Of The Great Gatsby By F. Scott Fitzgerald1564 Words   |  7 Pagesgrant happiness. There is a tendency in American culture to equate success with happiness. Success is the core of American society, as it drives innovation and motivates people to work harder in ord er to achieve their goals — but at what cost? When striving for success, people tend to neglect other important areas of their lives such as their health, emotional well-being and more importantly their loved ones. The literary works of The Great Gatsby, a novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald; the play Death of aRead MoreAmerican Dream - Death of a Salesman1005 Words   |  5 PagesThe play Death of a Salesman greatly portrays a specific ideology in regards to values, dreams, goals, and success in our consumer-driven society. It helps showcase the American dream that society tends to strive for even in the early 1900’s (the play is set in the 1940’s). That dream of being a successful business person or vendor. As well as the theory that image and physical attributes are most important to gaining fruition. Willy Loman plays a man in his sixties who has strived for this AmericanRead MoreDeath Of A Salesman Is A Tragedy In The Sense That It Displays1015 Words   |  5 P agesDeath of a Salesman is a tragedy in the sense that it displays the consequences of commitment of one s life towards an idealistic goal such as the American Dream. Willy Loman fails to see that he is an unsuccessful salesman and to escape that harsh reality, he constantly reminisces his past. Which beg the question, is Willy Loman a tragic hero? He may not be a conventional tragic hero but he indeed had a downfall however, he wasn’t in a distinguished position to say the least. He was everybody yetRead MoreArthur Miller s Death Of A Salesman Essay1567 Words   |  7 Pageswith a tragic flaw leading to his downfall. In addition, in traditional tragedy, the main character falls from high authority and often it is predetermined by fate, while the audience experiences catharsis (Irving 247). Arthur Miller’s play Death of a Salesman is considered to be a tragedy because this literary work has some of the main characteristics of the tragedy genre. In this play, the main character Willy Loman possesses such traits and behaviors that lead to his downfall, and the audienceRead MoreConsequences Of A Superficial Dream : Will Loman1076 Words   |  5 PagesO’Connell English II – 3 April 20, 2015 Consequences of a Superficial Dream: Will Loman Various numbers and symbols throughout Death of a Salesman, by Arthur Miller, highlight an important equation worth noticing that prove Willy Loman’s frame on life. Success is equal to money; money is greater than life; success and money lead to fame and name brands, which lead to ultimate happiness. A man, more living than dead in his own dream fails to interpret the importance of life any other way. Because of his failed